Major Event Planning During Winter XGames with Kyle Nelson

X Games Evolution and Ticketing

Kyle discussed the history and evolution of the X Games, a winter sports event held in Aspen, Colorado. He explained that the event has grown to become the second largest internationally televised winter sporting event after the Olympics, featuring disciplines like skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling.

He highlighted the introduction of new events like the knuckle huck competition and the changes in the slope style course each year. Kyle also mentioned that this year’s event was fully ticketed, a decision made by X Games leadership. Jamie asked about the reasons behind this change, to which Kyle responded that it was not a requirement from Pitkin County, where the event is hosted.

X Games Incident Management Strategy

Kyle discussed the incident management structure for the X Games event, highlighting his role as the Planning Section Chief. He emphasized the importance of avoiding complacency, which was a focus for the team this year. The team held multiple meetings leading up to the event to ensure everyone was on the same page and to prevent potential incidents.

Kyle also mentioned that the team’s safety message included discussions on the dangers of complacency. Sam and Jamie asked for more details about the planning section’s role and how the team overcame complacency, respectively.

Exploring Incident Command System (ICS) Principles

In the meeting, Sam and Kyle discussed the Incident Command System (ICS) and its application across different organizations and countries. They emphasized that despite variations in how ICS is taught and applied, the fundamental principles remain the same, allowing for a common terminology and structure across different roles and incidents.

Kyle further explained the principles of ICS, including unity of command, communication tools, work assignments, and reporting. The conversation then shifted to Kyle’s day-to-day experience at the Winter X Games, where he shared his typical morning routine and operational periods. Becky asked about the duration of Kyle’s day, to which he responded with a 13-hour operational period.

Planning Section’s Role in Incidents

Kyle discussed the importance of the planning section in managing an incident. He highlighted the need for a check-in desk to track resources, the significance of the operations briefing to set clear objectives for the day, and the role of the planning section in gathering and archiving incident documentation.

He also mentioned the involvement of the National Weather Service Office in providing weather decision support. The afternoon involved preparing for meetings, getting approval from command and General staff positions, and building the incident action plan for the next day. Kyle emphasized the importance of the planning section in gathering information and watching for activities that could impact the venue.

X Games Event Support and Safety

Kyle discussed the various resources and teams that support the X Games event in Colorado, including the civil support team, FBI, Colorado State Patrol, and bomb detection teams. He highlighted the importance of these resources in managing the event and keeping the community safe. Kyle also explained how special event operations differ from day-to-day operations, emphasizing the importance of planning, staffing, and communication.

He shared that there were no critical incidents during this year’s event, and that the main weather-related challenge was extreme cold. Becky asked about the spectators’ preparedness for the weather, to which Kyle responded that they generally plan ahead and dress appropriately. Sam asked about the total number of people involved in the event, and Kyle estimated around 10,000 spectators.

Disaster Preparedness and Response Importance

Jamie, Kyle, and Becky discussed the importance of disaster preparedness and response, particularly in the context of major events. They emphasized the value of real-world experience and training, and encouraged others to reach out to experts like those from Paragon Medical Education Group for customized training programs.

They also highlighted the role of local National Weather Service offices in providing accurate weather information. The team expressed their appreciation for the annual event and looked forward to future discussions.

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